User:Jalaguy/Sandbox/Aerialbot
| The name or term "Aerialbot" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Aerialbot (disambiguation). |
- The Aerialbots are an Autobot subgroup from the Generation 1 continuity family.
Soaring through the skies in their aircraft alternate modes, the Aerialbots are a unique asset to the Autobots – not only do they offer a counter to the Decepticons' air superiority, but they can merge to form the towering warrior Superion. They often find themselves facing off against the Stunticons.
Membership history
The Aerialbots were introduced to the Transformers franchise as a five-man team, and these 'bots have remained the "standard" line-up for much of the brand's history:
- Silverbolt — Concorde SST (Supersonic Transport) — acrophobic leader, and den mother
- Air Raid — McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle — impulsive and fearless close-quarters fighter
- Fireflight (sometimes also known as Firestrike or Firefly) — McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II — daydreamer, dangerously absent-minded flyer
- Skydive — General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon — unassuming but gifted strategist, military history aficionado
- Slingshot (sometimes also known as Quickslinger) — British Aerospace Sea Harrier — insecure loud-mouthed jerk, VTOL capabilities
In addition to these original five, various additional or replacement Aerialbots have shown up over the years. The first of these was Balloon, the hot air balloon, invented in 1987 for a brief gag in a Robo-Capers comic strip.
Years later, a 2008 toy boxset would replace Slingshot (the trademark on his name lost) with Airazor, who Hasbro would subsequently confirm as a distinct individual. Replacing Slingshot would go on to become a trend, with 2016's Combiner Wars franchise introducing the helicopter Alpha Bravo. The line also inducted existing character Powerglide into the team, as a sixth member who could form a new gun for Superion.
Another retroactive Aerialbot was Barrel Roll – in 2012 the character briefly appeared as a sixth team member in an IDW Publishing issue, before his death a few pages later.
